Eminence and Demeanour of the Prophet (SAW)

The Prophet Mohammad (SAW) was gifted with perfect attributes and manners that filled the hearts of all with bliss and delight, and dignified those who followed him. His demeanour and eminence was unique and matchless and that people love him to the extent that no other on earth has been loved so much. Being privileged by lots of prerogatives of perfection that no one else had been endowed with, his Companions found that he was matchless and full of perfection in all qualities.

Umm Ma’bad Al Khuza’iyah said to her husband when the Prophet (SAW) passed by her tent during his journey from Mecca to Madinah; she described the noble personality of the Prophet (SAW) in the words, “He was innocently bright and had broad countenance. His manners were refined. Neither was his belly bulging out nor was his head deprived of hair. He had black attractive eyes finely arched by continuous eyebrows. His hair glossy and black, inclined to curl. His voice was extremely commanding. His head was large, well formed and set on a slender neck. His expression was pensive and contemplative, serene and sublime. The stranger was fascinated from distance, but no sooner he became intimate with him than this fascination was changed into attachment and respect. His expression was very sweet and distinct. His speech was well set and free from the use of superfluous words, as if it were rosary of beads. His stature was neither too high nor too small to look repulsive.

He was twig amongst the two, singularly bright and fresh. He was always surrounded by his Companions. Whenever he uttered something, the listeners would hear with rapt attention and whenever he issued any command, they vied with each other in carrying it out. He was a master and a commander. His utterances were marked by truth and sincerity, free from all kinds of falsehoods and lies.” (Zad Al-Ma’ad, 2/ 45)

Ali Bin Abi Talib (RA) describing him said, “The Messenger of Allah SAW was neither excessively tall nor extremely short. He was medium height among his friends. He had thick hand palms and thick fingers and toes. At walking, he lifted his feet off the ground as if he had been walking in a muddy remainder of water. When he turned, he turned all. The Prophethood Seal was between his shoulders. He is the Seal of Prophets, the most generous and the bravest of all. He who describes him says, ‘I have never seen such a person neither before nor after seeing him.’” (Ibn Al-Hisham, 1/401;Jami ‘At- Tirmidhi, 4/ 303). The Eminence of Prophet (SAW) radiates from his supreme character and close spiritual connection with Allah, while his demeanour was characterized by generosity, patience, gentleness, wisdom, humility and honesty (earning him the title al-Amin). His interactions with people were marked by respectful body language, attentive listening, a glowing smile, and humble speech.

The Muslims recognize him as the ultimate example of moral virtues, embodying the highest principles of Islam. He lived as a humble servant rather than a king, even choosing to look down and glance rather than stare to avoid intimidating others. When someone spoke, he would turn his entire body towards them, giving his full attention and not removing his hand from a handshake until the other person did. He smiled frequently, even during difficult times, to bring joy to others and considered it a form of charity. He walked with a purpose, neither arrogantly nor lazily, signifying motivation and productivity. He spoke clearly, slowly, and with beautiful logic, repeating himself to ensure understanding and using his whole hand to point instead of a finger to avoid blame. He would engage in long periods of silence and deep thought. His Companions found in him a lifestyle of exceptional sincerity, conviction, and virtue that made them to believe in whatever he said and revealed.

His living was so simple that when he wished to pray, he would ask Hazrat ‘Āishah (RA) to bend her legs to make room for him to prostrate. To drink or bathe, he would reach for the small leather water skin that hung in his room. For months on end, no fire would be kindled for cooking in his home, and his family was content with dates and water unless someone gifted them some milk. ‘Umar ibn al-Khitab (RA) reports that he once entered the room of the Messenger of Allah to find him lying down and noticed that the coarseness of the straw mat under him had left marks on his side. Upon noticing that, and the meagre rations of barley and leaves, and the leather bag hanging in the corner, his eyes welled with tears. The Prophet said, “What makes you weep, O son of al-KhIṭṭāb?” He said, “O Prophet of Allah, how can I not cry after seeing how the mat has left these marks on your body, and how little you have in your food cubbyhole? Caesar and Khusroes live surrounded by fruits and springs of water, while you are the Messenger of Allah and His chosen one, and yet this is your condition.” The Prophet said, “O son of al-KhIṭṭāb, does it not please you that these comforts and luxuries are for us in the Hereafter and for them in this world?” I said, “Of course.”^[ (Ibn Maja)

Edward Gibbon (d. 1794), a historian and member of England’s Parliament, wrote; “The Apostle of God submitted to the menial offices of the family; he kindled the fire; swept the floor; milked the ewes; and mended with his own hands his shoes and garments”. Gibbon maintains, “His military triumphs awakened neither pride nor vainglory, as they would have done, had they been affected for selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power, he maintained the same simplicity of manners and appearance as in the days of his adversity.”

Hazrat Anas Ibn Mālik said, “Nobody was more beloved to them (the Companions) than the Messenger of Allah. Despite that, when they would see him, they would not stand for him, knowing how much he disliked that.”^[

He (SAW) practiced everything that he preached. His profound and universal mercy was above all reflected in his concern for people’s salvation. The Qur’an would often address his deep grief over people’s resistance to guidance, in verses such as, “Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, and out of sorrow.”

There can be no words to depict the ultimate personality of Prophets (SAW), the sea of inks will dry up and the pages will extinct and still the expressible shall remain inexpressible.